The 4th Annual TV Land Awards Airs Wednesday; Fox Animated Sitcom News; Remembering a NYC TV Legend

Monday, March 20, 2006

The 4th Annual TV Land Awards Airs Wednesday; Fox Animated Sitcom News; Remembering a NYC TV Legend

The 4th Annual TV Land Awards airs this Wednesday from 9 to 11 p.m. ET/PT on TV Land and Nick@Nite, but they were taped last night at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. It was an unforgettable evening as celebrities from television, music and film bestowed special tribute awards tonight to some of television's most beloved series and stars at the fourth annual TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV. The honored shows included Cheers (Legend Award presented by Mary Tyler Moore), Dallas (Pop Culture Award presented by John Schneider and Tom Wopat), Good Times (Impact Award presented by Quentin Tarantino), Batman (40th Anniversary presented by William Shatner) and Grey's Anatomy (Future Classic Award presented by Jeremy Piven). The TV Land Awards was taped at The Barker Hangar on Sunday, March 19 and will air on TV Land (and simulcast on Nick@Nite) Wednesday, March 22 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT.
This star-studded extravaganza featured some unforgettable moments such as when actor and comedian Billy Crystal presented TV icon Sid Caesar with The Pioneer Award.
Grammy award-winning superstar Diana Ross performing a medley of her famous hits including "Touch Me in the Morning," "The Boss," "Do You Know," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
Acclaimed actor Robert Downey Jr. presented two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank with the Big Screen/Little Star award.
Emmy-Award winner and previous TV Land Awards Legend Winner Mary Tyler Moore presented the cast of Cheers - Ted Danson, Shelly Long, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman and John Ratzenberger with this year's Legend Award.
Grey's Anatomy creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes accepted this year's Future Classic Award along with the cast including Justin Chambers, Patrick Dempsey, T.R. Knight, James Pickens Jr., Kate Walsh and Chandra Wilson.
A TV show theme song medley showcasing the memorable theme songs from shows such as Cheers, Happy Days, Family Ties, The Muppet Show, Dallas, Donny and Marie and others featured live performances by several beloved musical stars including Johnny Mathis, Deniece Williams, James Ingram, Gary Portnoy, Donny and Marie Osmond and others.
TV's most beloved classic TV stars spoofed one of television's most popular dramas, Grey's Anatomy in a parody starring several classic TV stars -- several of whom appeared in popular medical dramas -- including Bernie Kopell, Chad Everett, Diahann Carroll, Ed Begley, Jr., Loretta Swit, Richard Chamberlain, Jane Seymour as well as Larry Hagman, Maureen McCormick and Jimmy "JJ" Walker.
Famed writer, director and actor Quentin Tarantino presenting the Impact Award to the cast of Good Times. And host Megan Mullally performing a commercial jingle medley.
The evening featured a roster of some of the most recognized talent in the history of television. Monty Hall, Wink Martindale and Peter Marshall presented the Viewer's Choice Award for "Character Most in Need of a Time Out," which resulted in a tie between What's Happening!!'s Danielle Spencer and Alison Arngrim of Little House on the Prairie. John Schneider and Tom Wopat of The Dukes of Hazzard were reunited to present Dallas with the Pop Culture Award. Other stars in attendance included William Shatner (Boston Legal, Star Trek), Don Most and Anson Williams (Happy Days), Christopher Knight (The Brady Bunch) and The Muppet Show stars Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Among tonight's other winners included: TV'S GREATEST MUSIC MOMENT -- Diana Ross - Concert in Central Park; LITTLE SCREEN/BIG STAR -- Hilary Swank; FAVORITE SINGING SIBLINGS -- Donny and Marie; FAVORITE TV FOOD -- Pork chops and applesauce, Peter Brady, The Brady Bunch.
Don't miss the fun this Wednesday night!

Animated sitcoms The Simpsons and King of the Hill both will be back next season on Fox. The Simpsons has been renewed for two more seasons, meaning seasons 18 and 19 will at least be made. It will be cool to see if the show makes 20 or more seasons. King of the Hill has been renewed for another season, its 11th, starting in January 2007. King of the Hill is now tied with Married...with Children with 11 seasons for second on the all-time Fox list behind The Simpsons. The Simpsons will celebrate its 400th episode in May 2008. There is word that canceled animated sitcom Futurama could be revived next season. It is unclear which network would bring it back, though, but Fox and Comedy Central are probably the frontrunners.

Finally, we leave you tonight with a little tribute to a New York City TV news legend. Yes, he was not a sitcom star, but I just have to pay tribute to him because he has been a household name for me and for many other households. Longtime WABC-7 news anchor Bill Beutel passed away Saturday at the age of 75. Beutel joined the station in 1962. In 1968, he became London bureau chief for ABC News, but he returned to the station in 1970 to co-anchor a then-new format called Eyewitness News. In 1975 he did double duty, working with WABC-7 and ABC. He co-hosted ABC's new morning show A.M. America, the forerunner to Good Morning America. Beutel retired from the Eyewitness news desk in January 2001 but remained with the station doing great special reports. He retired for good in January 2003. His successor, Bill Ritter, remembers his mentor and good friend in a nice piece. You can see and read reactions from many people including the mayor and more here from reporter Jeff Rossen; reporter NJ Burkett did a story today here.
Watch a very well done video tribute to Bill Beutel from WABC narrated by Bill Ritter. And as Bill Beutel would sign-off, "Good luck and be well. Goodnight."

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, April 6

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Gemma Johnson's Day Off" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Gemma reaches her limit at work, and when a car issue forces her to slow down, an unexpected break helps her rethink what she really wants next. Meanwhile, Marty and Malcolm’s plans are thrown off course when unexpected opportunities arise, and Dave embraces a new career path.

The Neighorhood - "A Farewell Special" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
CBS presents The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special, an Entertainment Tonight production, airing Monday, April 6 (8:30-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Hosted by Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier and filmed on location on The Neighborhood's stages, the special celebrates the acclaimed CBS comedy's final season, honoring eight seasons, 156 episodes, and eight unforgettable years of laughter, heart and community, leading up to the series finale on May 11.

This celebratory event features exclusive new interviews with the cast reflecting on their journey, revisiting early days on set, and looking back at the show's evolution and cultural impact. From its heartfelt exploration of friendship and family to its comedic take on life in a changing community, The Neighborhood has become a beloved part of CBS' comedy legacy.

The special includes never-before-seen footage and archival interviews from the ET Vault, offering fans a nostalgic look at the series' most iconic moments and the relationships built along the way. Viewers will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the emotional final days of production, including the cast and crew's last table read, intimate moments from the final tapings, and heartfelt goodbyes.

Additionally, The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special brings audiences inside the cast's final wrap party, capturing the laughter, speeches, memories, and surprises that marked the end of an era. To cap off the evening, fans will get an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming series finale, with the cast and producers sharing what viewers can expect as the Butlers and Johnsons say farewell to the neighborhood they've called home for nearly a decade.

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to New Horizons" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dave’s silent auction wins lead to a classical concert outing with Gemma and the Butlers that quickly goes off the rails. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s ghostwriting gig takes a surprising turn when Tina encourages him to dive into reality TV for inspiration – sparking an unexpected obsession.

St. Denis Medical - "We Make Time" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a doctor becomes a patient, his co-workers rally around him, whether he likes it or not; Matt and Serena need to talk.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "The Loyalty Swamp" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Tobin's past comes back to haunt him; Reggie and Brina struggle to set a wedding date.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 6)

Monday, April 6

Jason Segel (Shrinking/How I Met Your Mother/Undeclared) - Watch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He also talks about Outcome on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Melissa Gilbert (Stand by Your Man) - ABC's Good Morning America has George Stephanopoulos' exclusive interview with Melissa sometime between 7-9am.
Laurie Metcalf (Big Mistakes/The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laurie talks about Big Mistakes on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Mindy Kaling (Running Point/The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy talks about Mindy's Book Studio on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry and Rebecca King-Crews make an exclusive announcement on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am. Terry will also be on in the 9am hour.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) and Ryan Michelle Bathe (First Wives Club/Retired at 35) - Sterling and his wife Ryan Michelle tell Sherri about the highly anticipated new season of Paradise now streaming on Hulu & Disney+ on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda talks season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors and her new film Fantasy Life on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.